Design and Construction
The 422 was built by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island anchor, and its solid fiberglass hull carries a lead ballast of roughly 7,600 pounds against a displacement near 21,000 pounds, with a 13-foot beam and 33.67-foot waterline that give it the volume of a serious cruiser. The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide responsive performance and protection, a layout that suits the boat's documented ocean crossings. The well-insulated engine room is large enough for air conditioning and an auxiliary generator, and the lockers are cedar lined — details that speak to a builder concerned with both machinery isolation and stowage care.
Rig and Handling
Offered as a sloop, cutter, or ketch, the 422 lets the buyer choose a sail plan to match crew size and ambition. The ketch configuration reduces boom loads and aids reefing in heavy weather, and its divided sail plan allows easier short-handed handling and balanced power distribution, though ketches were a limited factory option and rarer than the standard cutter or sloop setups. Most hulls were cutters or sloops, with only an estimated four to six ketches produced. Underway the boat shows surprising speed, with 6–7 knots typical, and the 270° cockpit serves as an efficient command station with folding steps for convenient access from the deck and an aft-facing bench molded into the end of the cabin trunk.
Accommodations
Below, the 422 prioritizes comfort with a luxurious teak interior, a private aft queen stateroom, and ample storage. Two double-berth staterooms each have their own head and shower, and a full-headroom walkthrough connects the spaces — a layout that delivers the privacy Shaw built the design around. The cedar-lined lockers and generous stowage suit extended liveaboard use, and the center-cockpit arrangement places the helmsman above the aft stateroom, separating sleeping quarters from the working deck.
Ownership and Support
Approximately 39 hulls were completed during a production run that began in 1983 and ran through 1987, a short span that reflected Pearson's final years before the 1986 closure amid industry challenges. Active support comes via the Pearson Yachts Owners Portal and Pearson 422/424 forums, where the close hull relationship between the 422 and 424 pays dividends in shared knowledge and parts discussion. The model drew praise in reviews for its blend of classic lines and modern amenities, appealing to traditional cruisers seeking versatility.
The Verdict
The Pearson 422 is a thoughtfully evolved Shaw design that translates the proven 424 hull into a private, seaworthy center-cockpit cruiser. Its limited production makes it an uncommon find, but the boat's construction, accommodations, and owner community support make it a credible bluewater candidate for those who value privacy and a divided rig option.
Pros
- Shares the proven 424 hull with center-cockpit privacy and two en-suite staterooms
- Ketch option reduces boom loads and eases short-handed heavy-weather handling
- Well-insulated engine room accommodates generator and air conditioning
- Documented ocean crossings and active owner support network
Cons
- Very small production run limits the used-market pool
- Ketch rig was a rare factory option with limited hull count
